Covid-19 still lingers in the air and now it’s cramping your usual Valentine’s Day style. But love is strong and love is resilient, and there ain’t no communicable disease that can stop you from safely expressing your love for one another!
There is still much to celebrate & we have gathered the coolest ideas for your chéri(e), kids and elders so you don’t have to. Let’s go!
Dinner at home
Valentine’s Day is usually the perfect occasion to get dressed up and make a reservation at that new restaurant you’ve been wanting to try. This year's restrictions are basically forcing us to make our own candlelit dinner at home.
Make heart-shaped food. If there's ever a time to make heart-shaped food, well, this is it! Pizza, strawberry pie, eggs in a basket, cupcakes... your imagination's the limit on this one. Or, take the low-effort route and order a heart-shaped pizza.
If you are trying to support local restaurants, see if they offer curbside pickup or delivery. You can save the time you would spend cooking and put more effort into setting the scene instead. We recommend lots of hearts, roses and your finest dishes!
Mix cocktails
Mixing cocktails together can be a bonding experience and it can be a fun way to start the night! If you have never made cocktails before, check these COCKTAIL THERAPY SET and get ready for a yummy experience together!
Take pictures
All dressed up and nowhere to go? Have a photo session and create an album that you can look back on. For a trendy twist, use a INSTAX MINI camera and write little sayings on the bottom part of each photo.
Go Ice Skating
Find a local area to ice skate together outdoors, while following all public health guidelines. COVID-19 will be a concern for an extended period of time, but that doesn't mean you need to literally lock yourselves inside every day. Ice skating is a great way to stay active together and break up the day-to-day when you feel stuck indoors.
Enjoy Sledding
Sledding is another great outdoor activity you can enjoy in the early months of the year. Look for places near your home where you can find a hill and bring your sled.
You can find good places for sledding at nearby parks as well. Just be sure to prepare and plan your trip according to the COVID-19 park visit guidelines. You can also go tubing if you prefer that over sledding!
Go stargazing You don't need a telescope to set up a stargazing date. Just head to your own backyard with a warm, outdoor blanket and use a stargazing app to help identify constellations in the night sky. Another super cool option is to gift them a star with this NAME A STAR GIFT BOX.
Play a game
Bring out you and your partner’s playful side with a fun game. You can go with a classic two-player game or make your own! Spark a conversation with THE LOVE GAME, scientifically proven to make some fall in love with you!
Video chat
If you're celebrating from a distance, try video chatting. Call your family members, friends or a long-distance partner and tell them everything you love about them! This simple gesture will go a long way in a time when we all want to feel connected. You can also send a homemade card or baked goods. Have a virtual dinner date. Use Netflix Party to watch a movie together synchronously. Make a virtual photo scrap book together that you will look back and cherish for years to come!
Have a theme
Come up with a theme and make sure every part of your Valentine’s Day fits it. For instance, if your theme is CONVERSATION HEARTS, decorate your house with printed cutouts of conversation hearts, draw a sweet saying on a coloured shirt that you can wear or decorate your dessert of choice with conversation hearts. The possibilities are endless! Other theme options include queen of hearts, love letters or cupid, decorate your house with printed CUTOUTS of conversation hearts, draw a sweet saying on a coloured shirt that you can wear or decorate your dessert of choice with conversation hearts. The possibilities are endless!
Watch the sunset
It's the best, most romantic show there is, and it's 100% free! Bring a BLANKET and a bottle of wine if you want to get extra cozy.
Breakfast in Bed
Most people think of Valentine’s Day as date night. But if you run out of energy after 5 p.m. (or earlier), that would not be a great time for you to feel your sexiest. Instead, opt in for when your energy level is at its best and go from there. Whip up a delicious breakfast spread on Valentine's Day and enjoy it with MATCHING LOUNGEWEAR. It will be a nice change of pace from the usual morning hustle and bustle. Set your intention early and make a commitment to yourself because you deserve it too!
For the kids
Little ones are resilient, but that doesn’t make up for the dumpy year they’ve had. Zoom-schooling, closed playgrounds and grownups for playmates - not exactly the ideal year for children.
Send the kiddos in your life an encouraging note, maybe with a silly joke or two, to let them know you’re proud of them. This activity is similar to “Secret Santa,” where each person secretly picks another person to give their card to. Once everyone has someone, each person creates the craziest, tackiest, sweetest card possible and gives it to the person they picked. The person receiving it tries to guess who their card came from. This is a great option for the kids who love arts and crafts!
“What I Love” dinner – Have everyone in the family pick a name (like secret Santa and then fill one of THESE for one another. We have done this a few years ago and, hands down, it was outrageously fun!
Yes, you might end up with macaroni, pickles, pizza and a chocolate cake, but the memories will be well worth the food coma!
Celebrate with others Rather than focusing on romantic love, celebrate other types of love, such as that with your parents, an older neighbour, a single friend, or another couple. Depending on local restrictions (and weather), you may be able to meet outside or plan something virtual!
Drop the pressure
If planning something for Valentine’s Day actual day adds more stress to your life, unfix your attention on February 14. You don’t have to celebrate love, romance or sex today. Instead, think about ways to invest in the relationship on a daily basis. What can you do to surprise your love tomorrow and the next day?
Focus on smaller gestures such as rubbing their shoulders if they’re on a stressful call or giving them a MASSAGE before bed and then bringing them coffee or tea before they get up in the morning. Daily investment is more important than a single celebration in February
If you’d rather celebrate on a day before or after Valentine’s Day, that can help relieve pressure, too! Order in and treat yourselves or try a new recipe together. If you’re not into food, sign up for an online wine or beer tasting. Or take a class together — painting, sketching, yoga, or anything else that strikes your fancy, there are plenty of online sources and classes right now!
Let them know you mean it
In tumultuous times, we tend to lean most on our romantic partners to help shoulder the burden. Take a moment this Valentine’s Day to thank them for all the times they rose to the occasion, went above and beyond and were simply f*cking awesome!
The most important part of Valentine’s day and any other holiday, is to give your undivided attention to the moment — i.e., more eye contact, express appreciation, extend gratitude, and show love, so why not write them a heart-felt note? Here are some ideas, in case you need a lil' help; 1. “Happy Valentine’s Day, my love! We’ve never spent so much time together, literally 24/7! How have we not murdered each other yet?! I don’t know what we’re doing right but let’s keep it up! Here’s to better days ahead (and if not, this arrangement is pretty nice too)!” 2. “I’m so proud of us for surviving another year in lockdown without driving each other completely nuts! I love how close we’ve grown and I think I might actually miss these days once it’s all over. There’s honestly no one else I’d rather hibernate with than you, boo bear.” 3. “Thank you for being the best quarantine partner I could ask for! I can’t wait until the world goes back to normal of course, but I also wouldn’t mind keeping you at home with me and the kiddos a little longer. Happy Valentine’s Day to a great partner and father!” 4. “Happy Valentine’s Day to my uber-supportive, level-headed lover! It’s no secret I’ve been a wreck this past year, but you were always there to meet me where I was and help ground me again. Thank you for always listening and loving me as I am. ILYSM!” 5. “Happy Valentine’s Day! I always knew you were a strong woman, but after witnessing how you handled another covid dumpster fire year… your children and I think you’re actually a SUPERHERO in disguise! Thank you for always taking care of us, no matter what life throws our way.” 6. “Life threw us so many unexpected curveballs because of covid, and there were moments when I wasn’t sure how we would survive. But we stuck together, got creative and pushed through - what would I have done without you?! Thank you for being my partner in life!” For lovebirds who don’t nest together, it’s likely been a huge struggle coordinating how to safely spend time together. So if you plan to make the day special by jumping through the hoops of a 14-day quarantine to see one another IRL, then hype it up! Send a card in advance with words of encouragement, or tell your bae just how much you’re looking forward to spooning... and forking. 7. “Greetings from my quarantine room! By the time you get this, it’ll just be a few more days until we can see each other face-to-face, sans masks. I. AM. SO. EXCITED! I’m going to grab your face and kiss it so hard! See you so, so soon babe!” 8. I cannot wait to see you on Valentine’s Day. We’ve spent way too much FaceTiming and not nearly enough time face smashing. Let’s change that!” 9. “Happy Early Valentine’s Day! Our self-inflicted quarantines will be over soon, then we can spoon and fork as much as you want! But honestly, we should probably just move in together since Covid doesn’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon. So... wanna be roomies??”
Pandemic Hobbies Lockdown life led to trending pandemic hobbies and it’s likely you and your partner picked up one or two. Home baked sourdough, anyone? Another cup of whipped coffee? Commemorate all the pandemic activities you’ve shared together and point out how they’ve brought you closer. 10. “Happy Valentine’s Day, sexy! After being together for so long, I thought I knew everything about you. I was SO WRONG! Who knew you’d be a kick-ass TikTok dancer?!?! I’m saving all these videos to show our future grandbabies, FYI. You are a gem and I love you.”
11. “This year has been weird, but I’ve honestly enjoyed every second of it with you. I love all the new recipes we’ve discovered together and how you let me be your sous-chef (even though my knife skills suck). Let’s keep cooking together forever, okay? I’d really love that.” 12. “Happy 1st Valentine’s Day! I was skeptical about dating during a pandemic, but your enthusiasm for bingeing Tiger King changed my mind. I guess we have Carol Baskin to thank for bringing us together?! LOL! There’s no one else I’d rather Netflix and chill with than you!”
Celebrate Milestones
The pandemic forced us to cancel countless celebrations and well-laid plans. But it didn’t completely stop all the big moments from happening either. Remind your partner of any milestones you’ve achieved together, despite a tricky year.
13. “Happy First Valentine’s Day as a married couple, love!! It wasn’t exactly the wedding of our dreams, but that’s ok. I just wanted to be MARRIED to you. Now we get to celebrate new ‘firsts’ as a legally bonded pair. And that’s pretty freaking’ cool in my book!”
14. “To my best friend and now the mother of my child: Pregnancy is never easy, but you managed to pull it off gracefully during a pandemic year. Our little family is my pride and joy and there are no words to accurately describe how much we love you. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
15. “Happy Valentine’s Day! Can you believe this time last year we were making an offer on our first home? And now we LIVE in that house! It’s been a year of crazy ups and downs, but we still managed to hit some big milestones. I love doing life with you and can’t wait for more adventures!”
Unexpected Bonuses
Believe it or not, some good things did come out of this crazy pandemic. Like transitioning to work-from-home and ditching the daily commute. All that time you would’ve spent on the road is now freed up for family time (or more sleep!). Look for those unexpected bonuses the pandemic brought your way.
16. “Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s been another weird year, but the silver lining has been all the extra time we’ve been able to spend together. Even if we just spend all day working in separate rooms, I love having you close by. I know I’ll miss this once the world goes back to normal.”
17. “Babe, I have a confession to make. I’m thankful this pandemic happened when it did. Because it meant I could work from home and never miss a day with you and our new baby. What a joy it’s been to watch her grow! What a gift! Happy Valentine’s Day my love.”
18. “There are no words in the English language that can adequately describe how much I love you. You are my heart and you are my soul, my everything. Another covid year has made it abundantly clear what’s important in life, and you’re IT. Happy Valentine’s Day my love.”
19. “Happy Valentine’s Day, sweetheart. You have been my rock. I hate admitting I ever need help at all, but I also know I wouldn’t be where I am today without you by my side. Thank you for always knowing when to hold me, especially when I don’t know it myself.”
20. “Happy Valentine’s Day to the person who made me believe in love & humanity again. Life made me cynical and suspicious. But your love has never failed me, even when put to the test. Thank you for showing me what real love looks and feels like. I love you wholeheartedly.”
Rhyme Time Lighten the mood and keep the celebrations silly. Because honestly, we could all use a little levity right now. Share these Covid funnies with your partner to elicit a few chuckles and help set the tone of the day. 21. “Happy Valentine’s Day, babe! Here’s a silly dad-joke for you: Knock, knock. Who’s there? No one because we’re isolating. LOL! I know - so corny but also so good. Just the way I like it. And just the way I like you!” 22. “I wrote you this poem for Valentine’s Day: Roses are red, Covid gives me the blues, I can’t wait to get the 3rd vaccine, So I can make out with you! I love you so much and can’t wait to see you soon!”
Grandparents and Elderly Relatives
It’s been a lonely year in isolation for our grandparents and elderly relatives. Use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to tell them how much you love and miss them, and that you’ll hopefully see each other soon. They’ll appreciate the outpouring of love and much needed human connection.
23. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Nana & Papa! I just wanted to tell you that I love you both very much. I’m glad we’re still able to see each other once a week via Zoom, but it’s not the same as Sunday dinners at your house. Looking forward to the day I can give you a big hug!”
24. “Grandpa, Happy Valentine’s Day! Thank you for being a source of love and laughter in my life. I can always count on you when I’m in need, and that is such a gift! You are a treasure and my superhero. Love you forever and ever and ever.”
25. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Grandma! I miss you so, so much and think about you every day. I’m so excited I get to visit you soon! I’m getting my 3rd vaccination soon and will make plans to see you soon after. Love you to the moon and back!”
26. “Happy Valentine’s Day to our favorite (ok, only) nephew! Uncle Jon and I are so proud of how well you’re doing with online school. We know it’s different, but you’re killing it! Did mom make you any strawberry cupcakes today? Mmmm, just thinking of them makes us drool!”
27. “Happy Valentine’s Day cutie! What did one volcano say to the other volcano? I LAVA you! Hehehe get it? LAVA? I hope that made you laugh as much as the time I tickled you so hard you FARTED out loud! Stay silly and keep your head up!”
To Your Bestie We’re all just doing our best to survive, and that means some friendships have taken a backseat to other priorities this year. The good news is that solid friendships can more than handle a little distance and time apart. Still, seize this opportunity to remind your besties that you’re still there and that you still care. 28. “Happy Galentine’s Day! Just popping into your mailbox to remind you how much I love you. You always know how to make me laugh, even when the world seems like it’s collapsing around us. No small feat! Looking forward to Sunday brunches with you soon!” 29. “Happy Valentine’s Day, sis! I’m so thankful you’re my best friend. Thank you for always being there when I need you most, and especially during these pandemic-times. You’re the best thing mom and dad ever got me and I wouldn’t trade you for anything in the world!” 30. “Happy Valentine’s Day! You’ve been such a caring friend throughout the years and I’m lucky to have you in my life. Thanks for always cheering me on and pushing me to believe in myself. I’m always here if you need anything. Love and miss you!”
We hope you have a safe, fun and memorable Valentine's Day and that these ideas sparked anticipation for this special holiday!
xo
Tami